Victoria’s CIBC Run for the Cure raises $124,281 for breast cancer research

Sunday’s CIBC Run for the Cure in Victoria raised $124,281 for breast cancer research.

About 587 runners participated in this year’s annual one-kilometre walk or five-kilometre run around the University of Victoria, to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research in Canada.

“We all know people who have been affected by breast cancer,” said Janet Lee, volunteer co-director of the run. “This run is for people to remember those they lost, or they want to remember, they want to cheer for, or themselves as a survivor.”

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 112,800 women in Canada will be diagnosed with cancer in 2022, with about 25 per cent of those cases being breast cancer. More than 75 people are diagnosed with breast cancer across the country every day.

Coral Uster told CHEK News she and a number of other participants have a personal reason to run.

“My Aunt. She has been suffering for many years and we are running for her,” Uster said. “She was given a couple years about eight years ago and she is still fighting. She is an inspiration.”

Branwyn Kew said she was running for her friend Jamie who lost his mom to cancer recently.

“And my mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor. I’m here to support the other families who haven’t been as fortunate as I am,” she added.

This was the first in-person CIBC Run for the Cure since 2019.

Lee said that made it special as those who rely on it for support could see and talk to others going through similar situations.

The run in Victoria raised $124,281 that will be funneled into beast cancer research and supports.

“It will be used for clinical trials, metastatic breast cancer research, triple negative hard to treat cancers and some of the support programs and services,” said Rachael Zapp, with the Canadian Cancer Society. “They truly are making a difference.”

Since the CIBC Run for the Cure started in 1992, it has raised more than $480 million for the breast cancer cause at events across the county.

Lee said there are plans in place for next year’s run. It is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2023.

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